By Imaobong Dem
Public health expert advocates adequate treatment of Neglected Tropical Diseases in Nigeria to avert costly complications.
Over 100million Nigerians are affected with Neglected Tropical Diseases which are actually preventable, and curable.
In a classification by the World Health Organisation, WHO, over 17 Neglected Tropical Diseases affect low income countries. The diseases which are communicable are common in the tropics, associated with poverty, pure sanitation, lack of safe drinking water, and areas with sub-standard living conditions, as well as localities with poor access to health care.
The diseases include; Buruli Ulcer, Dengue, Leprosy, Rabies, Trachoma, Sleeping Sickness, Lymphatic Filariasis; also known as Elephantiasis, Snake Bite, just to mention a few.
Present in Nigeria, these diseases when left without adequate treatment can trigger long term complications in infected persons. For instance, Trachoma causes blindness when improperly treated.
In a chat with Inspiration FM’s Health correspondent, Public Health Expert, Dr ANIEKEME UWAH notes that complications that set in from poor treatment of these diseases are dire, and the low awareness was doing more damage.
Dr UWAH specified that drugs for effective treatment are available but many people are unaware, and often times reluctant to seek medical attention.
“These drugs have been provided and are available at designated health facilities. The drugs are not just available, but also accessible”; he said. The cost of drugs for the Tropical diseases is an issue, but with the involvement of the Federal Ministry of Health, Donor Agencies, lack of awareness impede effective administration of the drugs. However, they have been made available free of cost”, Dr UWAH added.
An analysis published in an online journal underscored the financial implications of treating the diseases, which it indicated as huge. The same Journal noted that Lymphatic filariasis, Popularly known as Elephantiasis is thought to be potentially eradicable through once yearly mass drug administration, using drugs that are currently donated to endemic countries by the pharmaceutical companies that manufacture them (PLOS.org).
In this regard, DR ANIEKEME UWAH states that to treat Elephantiasis, a patient needs strict adherence to a yearly drug that are meant to be taken for 5 years to prevent complications.
He therefore expressed concern over the low awareness on the existence of these drugs, thereby calling for increased and sustained awareness.
DR UWAH speaking further conveyed hope towards the battle against NTDs, particularly when treatment is accessed, towards averting complications that arise from non-treatment.
“In Nigeria, campaigns are about to kick off in some states. AkwaIbom is one of those areas mapped out for heightened awareness creation and distribution of drugs. It is important for infected persons to access these medications, so they are expected to come out and receive these medications that will be administered during the campaigns”, he stressed.
Moreover, for the Public Health Expert who is the immediate past state epidemiologist in Akwaibom, DR ANIEKEME UWAH says; “Prevention of Neglected Tropical Diseases in Nigeria should be paramount. Improved sanitation, provision of Portable water supply, strengthening primary health care, and improving the economic status of citizens”, should be prioritized.
The advocacy apparently borders on prevention and this for more health practitioners should be accentuated to save the Nation the hassles associated with dealing with these set of diseases which impact negatively on the social economic status of the nation.
